/ 

A BRIEF ACCOUNT 

La 



ESTABLISHMENT OF THE 



COLONY OF GEORGIA, 



GEN. JAMES OGLETHORPE, 



FEBRUARY 1, 173S. 



WASHINGTON: 
PHINTED BY PETER FORCE. 

1835. 



F 



---><' 



ESTABLISHMENT 



COLONY OF GEORGIA. 



Proceedings of the Trustees. 

London, July 22, 1732 : — 'On Thursday last, the Trustees for 
establishing the Colony of Georgia in America, held their first 
regular meeting. Their Charter was read ; as also, a certificate 
from the Lord Chief Baron of his Majesty's Exchequer, by 
which it appeared that Rt. Hon. the Ld. Vise. Percival had 
qualified himself as President, and taken the oath for the faithful 
administration of his trust. Then, the President administered 
the oath for the faithful administration of their trust, to the several 
Trustees present. :r- ~ 

Sept. 22, 1732. — On Thursday last, the Ld. Carpenter sat 
for the first time, as one of the Trustees for Georgia in America ; 
and after taking the oaths, was chosen President, in the absence 
of the Ld. Vise. Percival. 

Sir Gilbert Heathcote acquainted the Court of Directors of 
the Bank, with his Majesty's having granted a Charity, for 
relieving necessitous people, by establishing of the aforesaid 
Colony : and after shewing the great charity of the undertaking, 
and the future benefit arising to England, by the strengthening all 
the American Colonies, and increasing our Trade and Navigation, 
and raising raiv-silk, for which upwards of £200,000 a year is 
paid to Piedmont ; he himself gave a very handsome benefaction 
to the design, and was followed by all the Directors then pre- 
sent. 



4 Esiablishment of the Colony of Georgia, 

Some account of the designs of the Trustees for estab- 
lishing THE Colony of Georgia in America. 

In America there are fertile lands sufficient to subsist all the 
useless Poor in England, and distressed Protestants in Europe ; 
yet Thousands starve for want of mere sustenance. The distance 
makes it difficult to get thither. The same want that renders men 
useless here, prevents their paying their passage ; and if others 
pay it for 'em, they become servants, or rather slaves for years 
to those who have defrayed the expense. Therefore, money for 
passage is necessary, but is not the only want ; for if people 
were set down in America, and the land before them, they must 
cut down trees, build houses, fortify towns, dig and sow the land 
before they can get in a harvest; and till then, they must be 
provided with food, and kept together, that they may be assistant 
to each other for their natural support and protection. 

The Romans esteemed the sending forth of Colonies, among 
their noblest works ; they observed that Rome, as she increased 
in power and empire, drew together such a conflux of people 
from all parts that she found herself over-burdened with their 
number, and the government brought under an incapacity to pro- 
vide for them, or keep them in order. Necessity, the mother of 
invention, suggested to them an expedient, which at once gave 
ease to the capital, and increased the wealth and number of in- 
dustrious citizens, by lessening the useless and unruly multitude ; 
and by planting them in colonies on the frontiers of their empire, 
gave a new strength to the whole ; and This they looked upon 
to be so considerable a service to the commonwealth, that they 
created peculiar officers for the establishment of such colonies, 
and the expence was defrayed out of the public treasury. 

From the Charter. — His Majesty having taken into his 
consideration, the miserable circumstances of many of his own 
poor subjects, ready to perish for want: as likewise the distresses 
of many poor foreigners, who would take refuge here from per- 
secution ; and having a Princely regard to the great danger the 
southern frontiers of South Carolina are exposed to, by reason of 
the small number of white inhabitants there, hath, out of his 
Fatherly compassion towards his subjects, been graciously pleased 
to grant a charter for incorporating a number of gentlemen by 
the name of The Trustees for establishing the Colony of Geor- 
gia in America. They are impowered to collect benefactions ; 
and lay them out in cloathing. arming, sending over, and support- 



Establishment of the Colony of Georgia. o 

ing colonies of the poor, whether subjects on foreigners, in Geor- 
gia. And his Majesty farther grants all his lands between the rivers 
Savannah and Alatamaha, which he erects into a Province by 
the name of Georgia, unto the Trustees, in trust for the poor, 
and for the better support of the Colony. At the desire of the 
Gentlemen, there are clauses in the Charter, restraining them and 
their successors from receiving any salary, fee, perquisite, or profit, 
whatsoever, by or from this undertaking ; and also from receiving 
any grant of lands within the said district, to themselves, or in 
trust for them. There are farther clauses granting to the Trus- 
tees proper powers for establishing and governing the Colony, 
and liberty of conscience to all who shall settle there. 

The Trustees intend to relieve such unfortunate persons as 
cannot subsist here, and establish them in an orderly manner, so 
as to form a well regulated town. As far as their fund goes, 
they will defray the charge of their passage to Georgia; give 
them necessaries, cattle, land, and subsistence, till such time as 
they can build their houses and clear some of their land. They 
rely for success, first on the goodness of Providence, next on the 
compassionate disposition of the people of England ; and, they 
doubt not, that much will be spared from luxury, and superflu- 
ous expenses, by generous tempers, when such an opportunity is 
offered them by the giving of £20 to provide for a man or 
woman, or £10 to a child for ever. 

In order to prevent the benefaction given to this purpose, 
from ever being misapplied ; and to keep up, as far as human Pre- 
caution can, a spirit of Disinterestedness, the Trustees have 
established the following method : That, each Benefactor may 
know what he has contributed is salely lodged, and justly 
accounted for, all money given will be deposited in the Bank of 
England ; and entries made of every benefaction, in a book to 
be kept for that purpose by the Trustees ; or, if concealed, the 
names of those, by whose hands they sent their money. There 
are to be annual accounts of all the money received, and how the 
same has been disposed of, laid before the Lord High Chancel- 
lor, the Lord Chief Justice of the King's Bench, the Master of 
the Rolls, the Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas, and 
the Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer, or two of them, will 
be transmitted to every considerable Benefactor. 

By such a Colony, many families, who would otherwise starve, 
will be provided for, and made masters of houses and lands; the 
people in Great Britain to whom these necessitous families were 
a burthen, will be relieved ; numbere of manufacturers will be 



6 Establishment of the Colony of Georgia. 

here employed, lor supplying them with clotlies, working tools, 
and other necessaries; and by giving refuge to the distressed 
Saltzburghers, and other persecuted Protestants, the power of 
Britain, as a reward for its hospitality, will be encreased by the 
addition of so many religious and industrious subjects. 

The Colony of Georgia lying about the same latitude with 
part of China, Persia, Palestine, and the Madeiras, it is highly 
probable that when hereafter it shall be well-peopled and rightly- 
cultivated, England may be supplied h'om thence with raw Silk, 
Wine, Oil, Dyes, Dmgs, and many other materials for manufac- 
tures, which she is obliged to purcliase from Southern countries. 
As towns are established and grow populous along the rivers 
Savannah and Alatamaha, they will make such a barrier as will 
render the southern frontier of the British Colonies on the Con- 
tinent of America, safe from Indian and other enemies. 

All human affairs are so subject to chance, that there in no 
answering for events ; yet from reason and the nature of things, 
it may be concluded, that the riches and also the number of the 
inhabitants in Great Britain will be increased, by importing at 
a cheap rate from this new Colony, the materials requisite for 
carrying on in Britain several manufactures. For our Manufac- 
turers will be encouraged to marry and multiply, when they find 
themselves in circumstances to provide for their families, which 
must necessarily be the happy effect of the increase and cheap- 
ness of our materials of those Manufactures, which at present 
we purchase with our money from foreign countries, at dear 
rates; and also many people will find employment here, on 
account such farther demands by the people of this Colony, for 
those manufactures which are made for the produce of our own 
country; and, as has been justly observed, the people will 
always abound where there is full employment for them. 

Christianity will be extended by the execution of this design; 
since, the good discipline established by the Society, will reform 
the manners of those miserable objects, who shall be by them 
subsisted ; and the example of a whole Colony, who shall be- 
have in a just, moral, and religious manner, will contribute greatly 
towards the conversion of the Indians, and taking off the preju- 
dices received from the profligate lives of such who have scarce 
any thing of Christianity but the name. 

The Trustees in their general meetings, will consider of the 
most prudent methods for effectually establishing a regular Colony ; 
and that it may be done, is demonstrable. Under what difficul- 
ties, was Virsrinia planted ? — the coast and climate then un- 



Establishment of the Colony of Georgia. 7 

known; tlie Indians numerous, and ut enmity with the first 
Planters, who were forced to fetch all provisions from England ; 
yet it is grown a mighty Province, and the Revenue receives 
£100,000 for duties upon the goods that they send yearly 
home. Within this 50 years, Pennsylvania was as much a 
forest as Georgia in now ; and in these few years, by the wise 
ceconomy of William Penn, and those who assisted him, it now 
gives food to 80,000 inhabitants, and can boast of as fine a City 
as most in Europe. 

This new Colony is more likely to succeed than either of the 
former were, since Carolina abounds with provisions, the climate 
is known, and there are men to instruct in the seasons and nature 
of cultivating the soil. There are but few Indian families with- 
in 400 miles ; and those, in perfect amity with the English : — 
Port Royal (the station of his Majesty's ships) is within 30, 
and Charlestown (a great mart) is within 120 miles. If the 
Colony is attacked, it may be relieved l)y sea, from Port Royal, 
or the Bahamas; and the Militia of South Carolina is ready to 
support it, by land. 

For the continuing the relief which is now given, there will 
be lands reserved in the Colony ; and the benefit arising from 
them is to go to the carrying on of the trust. So that, at 
the same time, the money by being laid out preserves the lives 
of the poor, and makes a comfortable provision for those whose 
expenses are by it defrayed ; their labor in improving their own 
lands, will make the adjoining reserved lands valuable : and the 
rents of those reserved lands will be a perpetual fund for the 
relieving more poor people. So that instead of laying out the 
money upon lands, with the income thereof to support the poor, 
this is laying out money upon the poor ; and by relieving those 
who are now unfortunate, raises a fund for the perpetual relief 
of those who shall be so hereafter. 

There is an occasion now offered for every one, to help forward 
this design ; the smallest benefaction will be received, and ap- 
plied with the utmost care : — every little will do something ; and 
a great number of small benefactions will amount to a sum capa- 
ble of doing a great deal of good. 

If any person, moved with the calamities of the unfortunate, 
shall be inclined to contribute towards their relief, they are desir- 
ed to pay their benefactions into the Bank of England, on 
account of the Trustees for establishing the Colony of Georgia 
in America ; or else, to any of the Trustees, who are, &c. 



8 Establishment of thtt Colony of Georgia. 

Arrival of First Colonists, at Charleston, South 
Carolina, 13 January, 1733. 

Charlestoum, Jany, 20. — On Saturday night 13th of January, 
1733, came to anchor off our bar, a ship with about 120 people, 
for setthng the new Colony of Georgia, in which was James 
Oglethorpe, Esgr ; who came ashore that night, and was ex- 
tremely well received by his Excellency, our Governor. The 
next morning, he went on board ; and the ship sailed for Port 
Royal : — and, we hear, there are two more ships with people 
(which will make the number 500) expected daily. 



Account of the Progress of the first Colony sent 
to Georgia. 

We set sail from Gravesend, on the 17th of Novr. 1732, in 
the ship Anne, of 200 tons, Johji Thomas, Master, being about 
130 persons, and arrived off the bar of Charlestown on the 13th 
day of January following. Mr. Oglethorpe went on shore to 
wait on the Governour ; was received with great marks of civili- 
ty and satisfaction ; obtained an order for Mr. Middleton, the 
King's pilot, to carry the ship into Port Royal ; and for small 
craft to carry the Colony from thence to the river Savannah, 
with a promise of further assistance from the Province. He re- 
turned on board the 14th day ; and came to an anchor within 
the bar of Port Royal, at about 16 miles' distance from Beaufort. 
On the 18th, he went on shore upon Trench's island, and left a 
guard of 8 men upon John\s; being a point of that island which 
commands the channel, and is about half-way between Beaufort 
and the river Savannah : — 'they had orders to prepare Huts, for 
the reception of the Colony, against they should lie there in 
their passage. From thence, he went to Beaufort town, v^here 
he arrived about one o'clock in the morning ; and was saluted 
with a discharge of all the Artillery, and had the new Barracks 
fitted up ; where, the Colony landed on the 20th day ; and were, 
in every respect, cheerfully assisted by Lieut. Watts, Ensign 
Farrington, and the other officers of his Majesty's independent 



Establishment of the Colony of Georgia. 9 

company, as also by Mr. Delabarr, and other gentlemen of the 
neighborhood. 

While the Colony refreshed themselves there, Mr. Oglethorpe 
went up the River, and chose a situation for a Town ; and en- 
tered into a treaty with Tomochichi, the INlicco, or Chief of the 
only nation of Indians living near it. He returned on the 24th 
day ; and they celebrated the Sunday following, as a day of 
Thanksgiving for their safe arrival ; and a sermon was preached 
by the Revd. Mr. Jones, (the Revd. Dr. Herbert, who came 
with the Colony, preaching that day at Beaufort town.) There 
was a great resort of the Gentlemen of that neighborhood, and 
tlieir families ; and a plentiful Dinner provided for the Colony, 
and all that came, by Mr. Oglethorpe; being 4 fat hogs, 8 tur- 
kies, besides fowls, English Beef, and other provisions, a hogs- 
head of punch, a hogshead of beer, and a large quantity of 
wine; and, all was disposed in so regular a manner, that no 
person was drunk, nor any disorder happened. 

On the 80th, the Colony embarked on board a sloop of 70 
tons, and 5 Periaugers, and made sail; but were forced by a 
storm, to put in at a place called the Look-out, and to lie there 
all night : — the next day, they arrived at John's ; where they 
found huts capable to contain them all, and a plentiful supper 
of venison. They re-embarked the next day ; and in the after- 
noon arrived at the place intended for the Town. 

Being arrived, on the 1st of Febraary, at the intended Town, 
before night they erected 4 large tents, sufficient to hold all the 
people, being one for each tything ; they landed their bedding, 
and other little necessaries; and all the people lay on shore. 
The ground they encamped upon is the edge of the river 
where the Tcey is intended to be. 

Until the 7th was spent in making a Crane, and unlading the 
goods: — which done, Mr. Oglethorpe divided the people; em- 
ploying part, in clearing the land for seed ; part, in beginning the 
palisade ; and the remainder, in felling of trees where the Town 
is to stand. 

Col. Bull arrived here, with a message from the General 
Assembly to Mr. Oglethorpe, and a letter from his Excellency 
Governor Johnson and the Council ; acquainting him, that the 
two Houses, upon a conference, had agreed to give 20 barrels 
of Rice and 100 head of Cattle, besides Hogs, to the Trustees; 
and, that they had commanded a detachment of the Rangers 
(which are Horse, kept in the pay of the Province, for the 
scouring of the frontiers) and the Scout-boat (which is an armed 



10 Establishment of the Colony of Georgia. 

Bark, employed for the same purpose by water) to attend him, 
and take his orders. 

Col. Bull brought with him 4 of his Negroes, who were 
Sawyers, to assist the Colony ; and also, brought provision for 
them, being resolved to put the Trust to no expense ; and by 
this means, to bestow liis benefaction in the most noble and 
useful manner. 

On the 9th day, Mr. Oglethorpe and Col. Bull marked out 
the Square, the Streets, and 40 Lots for houses for the town ; 
and the first House (which was ordered to be made of clapboards) 
was begun that day. 

The Town lies on the south side of the river Savannah, upon 
a Flat on the top of a hill ; and 60 yards of it is reserved be- 
tween it and the Key. The river washes the foot of the hill ; 
which stretches along the side of it about a mile, and forms a 
terrace 40 feet perpendicular above high-water. 

From the Key, looking eastward, you may discover the river 
as far as the islands in the sea ; and westward, one may see it 
wind through the woods above 6 miles. The River is 1000 
feet wide ; the water fresh, and deep enough for sloops of 70 
Tons to come up close to the side of the Key. 



Gen. Oglethorpe's Conference with the Indians. 

Mr. Oglethorpe set out from Charles town, S. C. on the 14th 
of May 1732, and lay at Col. Bull's house, on Ashley river, 
where he dined the next day : — and landed at Savannah, on the 
18th, at ten in the morning ; where he found that Mr. Whiggan, 
(the interpreter) with the chief men of all the Lower Creek 
nation, were come down to treat of an alliance with the new 
Colony. — The Lower Creeks are a nation of Indians, who for- 
merly consisted of 10, but now are reduced to 8 tribes or towns j 
who have each their different government, but are allied together, 
and speak the same language. They claim from the Savannah 
river, as far as St. Augustine, and up to the Flint river, which 
falls into the Bay of Mexico : — all the Indians inhabiting this 
tract, speak their language ; Tomo-chi-chi, micco, and the In- 
dians of Yamacraw, are of their nation and language. 

Mr. Oglethorpe received the Indians, in one of the new 
houses, that afternoon : — they were as follow : 

From the tribe of C^ii^ee^a .-^Yahou-LakeCj their king or 



Establishment of the Colony of Georgia. 1 1 

micco ; Essoboo, their warrior, the son of Breen, (lately dead) 
whom the Spaniards called Emperor of the Creeks ; with 8 men, 
and 2 women, attendants. 

From the tribe of Cussetaho : — ■Cusseta, the micco; Tatch- 
iquatchi, the head-warrior ; with 4 attendants. 

From the tribe of Oivseecheyo : — Ogeese, the micco, or war- 
king ; Neathlouthko, and Ougachi, 2 chief-men ; with 3 attendants. 

From the tribe of the Cheehmvs : — Outhleteboa, the micco ; 
Thlauthlo-thlukee, Figeer, Sootamilla, war-captains ; and atten- 
dants. 

From the tribe Echetas : — Chutabeeche, and Robin, 2 war- 
captains, (the latter was bred amongst the English ;) with 4 
attendants. 

From the tribe of Fallachucolas : — Gillatee, the head-war- 
rior; and 5 attendants. 

From the tribe of Oconas : — Oueekachumpa, called by the 
English, Long King; Coowoo, a warrior. 

For the tribe of Eufaule: — Tomaumi, the head-warrior; 
and 3 attendants. 

The Indians being all seated, Oueekachumpa, a very tall old 
man, stood out, and ^vith a graceful action, and a good voice, 
made a long speech ; which was hiterpreted by Mr. Wiggan and 
Mr. John Musgrove, and was to the following purpose. — He 
first claimed all the land to the southward of the river Savannah, 
as belonging to the Creek Indians. Next, (he said) that though 
they were poor and ignorant, He, who had given the English 
breath, had given them breath also. That He, who had made 
both, had given more wisdom to the white men. That they 
were firmly persuaded, that the Great Power which dwelt in 
heaven, and all around, (and then he spread out his hands, and 
lengthened the sound of his words) and which hath given breath 
to all men, had sent the English thither for the instruction of 
them, their wives, and children. That therefore they gave them 
up freely, their right to all the land which they did not use 
themselves. That this was not only his opinion, but the opinion 
of the 8 towns of the Creeks ; each of whom having consulted 
together, had sent some of their Chief-men with skins, which is 
their wealth. He then stopped ; and the chief-men of each 
town, brought up a bundle of buck-skins ; and laid S bundles, 
from the 8 towns, at ]\Ir. Oglethorpe's feet. He then said, those 
were the best thing they had ; and therefore, they i^nve them 
with a good heart. He then thanked him for his kindness to 
Tomo-chi-chi, Micco, and his Indians, to whom he said he was 
related ; and said, that though Tomo-chi-chi was banished from 



12 Establishment of the Colony of Georgia. 

his nation, that he was a good man, and had been a great war- 
rior ; and, it was for his wisdom and courage, that the banished 
men chose him king. Lastly, he said, tbat they had heard in the 
nation, that the Cherokees had killed some Enghshmen ; and that 
if he w^ould command them, they would enter with their whole 
force into the Cherokee country, destroy their harvest, kill their 
people, and revenge the English. He then sat down. Mr. 
Oglethorpe promised to acquaint the Trustees with their desire 
of being instructed ; and informed them, that, there had been a 
report of the Cherokees having killed some Englishmen, but that 
it was groundless; — he thanked them, in the most cordial man- 
ner, for their affection ; and told them, that he would acquaint 
the Trustees with it. 

Tomo-chi-chi, Micco, then came in with the Indians of 
Yamacraw, to Mr. Oglethorpe ; and bowing very low, he said, — 
I was a banished man. — I came here poor and helpless, to look 
for good land near the tombs of my Ancestors ; and the Trustees 
sent people here. I feared you would drive us away, for we 
were weak and wanted corn ; but you confirmed our land to us, 
gave us food, and instructed our children: — we have already 
thanked you, in the strongest words we could find ; but words 
are no return for such favors ; for good words may be spoke by 
the deceitful, as well as by the upright heart. The Chief men 
of our nation are here, to thank you for us, and before (hem I 
declare your goodness, and that here I design to die ; for, we all 
love your people so well, that with them we will live and die. 
We don't know good from evil, but desire to be instructed and 
guided by you ; that we may do well with, and be numbered 
amongst the children of the Trustees. 

He sat doAvn : — and, Yahou-Lakee, Micco of Coweeta, stood 
up and said, — We are come 25 days' journey, to see you. I 
have been often desired to go down to Charlestown ; but would 
not go down, because I thought I might die in the way: but, 
when I heard you were come, and that you were good men, I 
knew you were sent by Him who lives in heaven, to teach us 
Indians wisdom. I therefore came down, that I might hear 
good things : — for I knew, that if I died in the way, I should die 
in doino; o-ood; and what was said, would be carried back to the 
nation, and our Children would reap the benefit of it. 1 rejoice 
that I have lived to see this day ; and to see our friends, that 
have been long gone from amongst us. Our nation was, once 
strong, and had 10 towns; but, we are now weak, and have 
but 8 towns. You have comforted the banished ; and have 
gathered them that were scattered, like little birds before the Eagle. 



Establishment of the Colony of Georgia. 1 3 

We desire therefore to be reconciled to our bretheren, who are 
here ainongst you ; and we give leave to Tomo-chi-chi, Stimoi- 
che, and Illispelle, to call the kindred that love them, out of 
each of the Creek towns, that they may come together and make 
one town. We must pray you to recal the Yamasees ; that 
they may be buried in peace amongst their ancestors, and that 
they may see their graves before they die ; and then our nation 
shall be restored again to its 10 towns. After which he spoke 
concerning the abatement of the prices of goods; and agreed 
upon articles of a Treaty, which were ordered to be engrossed. 

Tomo-chi-chi Invited them to his town, where they passed 
the night in feasting and dancing. 

On the 21st, their Treaty was signed : — a laced coat, a laced 
hat, and a shirt, was given to each of the Indian Chiefs ; and to 
each of the Warriors a gim, a mantle of duffils; and, to all their 
attendants, coarse cloth for clothing. There was also given, a 
barrel of Gun-powder, 4 kegs of Bullets, a piece of broad-cloth, 
a piece of Irish linen, a cask of Tobacco-pipes, 8 belts and 
Cutlasses with gilt handles, Tape and inkle of all colors, and 8 
kegs of Rum, for to be carried home to their Towns ; — 1 lb. of 
powder, 1 lb. of bullets, and as much provision for each man, as 
they pleased to take for their journey home. 

The peace concluded, — the care of the People, and of carry- 
ing on the works, being recommended to Mr. James St. Julian, 
and Mr. Scott, Mr. Oglethorpe left the Savannah, on Monday, 
the 21st, dined at Mr. Bulloch's at Willtown, on the 22nd, and 
arrived here, early in the morning on Wednesday the 23rd. 



Gen. Oglethorpe's Speech before the Assembly of 
South Carolina, June 9, 1733. 

On Saturday 9th of June, 1733 James Oglethorpe, Esqr. made 
a very handsome speech to the Hon. Commons House of Assem- 
bly, returning them thanks for the encouragement they gave to 
the settling of Georgia. 

It is as follows : — 
Speech of James Oglethorpe, before the Provincial Legisla- 
ture of South Carolina. 

I should think myself very much wanting in justice and grati- 
tude, if I should neglect thanking your Excellency, you Gentle- 



14 Establishment of the Colony of Georgia. 

men of the Councel, and you Gentlemen of the Assembly, for the 
assistance you have give to the Colony of Georgia. I have long 
wished for an opportunity of expressing my sense of the univer- 
sal zeal, which the inhabitants of this Province have shewn for 
assisting that Colony ; and could not think of any better opportu- 
nity, than now the whole Province is virtually present in its General 
Assembly. I am, therefore, Gentlemen, to thank you for the 
handsome assistance given by private people, as well as by the 
public. I am to thank you, not only in the name of the Tioistees, 
and the little colony now in Georgia ; but in behalf of all the dis- 
tressed people of Britain and persecuted Protestants of Europe, 
to whom a place of Refuge will be secured by this first attempt. 

Your charitable and generous ])roceeding, besides the self- 
satisfaction which always attends such actions, will be of the 
greatest advantage to this Province. You, Gentlemen, are the 
best judges of this; since, most of you have been personal 
witnesses of the dangerous blows this country has escaped from 
French, Spanish, and Indian arms. Many of you know this by 
experience, having signaHzed yourselves personally ; either, when 
this Province by its own strength, and unassisted by every thing 
but the courage of its inhabitants, and the providence of God, 
repulsed the formidable invasions of the French ; or, when it 
defeated the whole body of the southern Indians, who were 
armed against it, and invaded the Spaniards, who assisted them. 
You, Gentlemen, know there was a time, when, every day 
brought fresh advices of murders, ravages, and burnings ; when, 
no profession or calling was exempted from arms; when, every 
inhabitant of the Province was obliged to leave their wives, their 
families, their useful occupations, and undergo all the fatigues of 
war, for the necessary defence of the country ; and, all their 
endeavors scarcely sufficient to defend the western and southern 
frontiers against the Indians. 

It would be needless for me to tell you, who are much better 
judges, how the increasing settlements of the new Colony upon 
the Southern frontiers, will prevent the like danger for the future. 
Nor need I tell you, how much every plantation will increase in 
value, by the safety of the Province's being increased, since the 
Lands to the southward already sell for above double what they 
did when the nevv Colony first arrived. Nor need I mention the 
great lessening of the biuthen of the people, by the increasing of 
the income of the Tax, from the many hundred thousand acres 
of land, either taken or taking up on the prospect of future security. 
The assistance the Assembly have given, tho' not quite equal to 
the occasion, is very large, with respect to the present circumstan- 



Estahlishment of the Colony of Georgia. 15 

res of the Province ; and, as such, shews you to be kind bene- 
factors to your new-come countrymen, whose settlements you 
support ; and dutiful subjects to his Majesty, whose revenues and 
dominions, you by that means increase and strengthen. 

As I shall soon return to Europe, I must recommend the 
infant Colony to your farther protection ; being assured, both 
from your generosity and wisdom, that you will in case of any 
danger and necessity, give them the utmost support and assis- 
tance. 



Lb N '10 






